PRINCETON, N.J., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk Inc. (NYSE: NVO), a global healthcare company with 89 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care, today announced plans for a nearly 15 percent expansion of its U.S. work force in 2012. Novo Nordisk has experienced solid growth over the past five years, with an approximately 10 percent increase in U.S. staff per year across a number of specialties. Recruiting is expected to start immediately.

Jerzy Gruhn, President of the Novo Nordisk U.S. affiliate, said, "This announcement signals the strength of our business model, the increasing demand for our world-class diabetes products, and the steady output of our robust pipeline. Expanding will provide us the opportunity to better support current business as well as the right structure to meet the future needs of our customers."

While the pharmaceutical industry as a whole has experienced work force reductions over recent years, Novo Nordisk has continued to experience growth. The company will be recruiting for new positions across the U.S., with the first hires being made in the coming weeks. Beyond the sales team, Novo Nordisk is recruiting for medical liaisons, diabetes educators, and field management positions such as regional directors and business managers.

Jeff Frazier, Corporate Vice President of Human Resources, noted: "People at Novo Nordisk have intense passion for our community-focused, collaborative culture and values. Novo Nordisk has been recognized on FORTUNE Magazine's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list for the past four years. Our turnover rate is among the lowest in the industry in part because we invest heavily in training and development programs that are at the top of the industry. But we're also deliberate and careful in building our teams because our success depends on their understanding of and commitment to the patients we serve."

"Coming to work each day at Novo is rewarding," said Kevin White, a field representative from Dover, DE. "I am challenged in my work and feel that I am working for a greater cause, but also am able to balance my family and home life. The generous benefits allow me to focus my energies on my job. What keeps me here is the unique culture, amazing development opportunities, and a connection through a shared passion around a common goal."

As the company readies for the hiring push, it will hold recruitment fairs in markets across the U.S. A list of upcoming job fairs and available positions can be found at http://www.novonordisksalesjobs.com.

In addition to positions supporting its US sales and medical operations, Novo Nordisk continues to recruit for scientific positions in its new type 1 diabetes research center in Seattle, Wash. and for its manufacturing facility in Clayton, N.C.

Novo Nordisk has a rich pipeline of various therapies and continues to invest heavily in R&D to foster new compounds and develop new treatments. At this time the company has three regulatory submissions under review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and several other products in Phases II and III clinical trials.

About Novo Nordisk

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 89 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit http://www.novonordisk-us.com and follow us on Twitter @novonordiskus.